Athletics is perhaps the most popular in the world. And not in vain! After all, it includes many different disciplines that can interest every sports fan. This includes high and long jumps , throwing a core, spear, disk, hammer, walking and running at different distances.
In this article we will only talk about running. But, believe me, even one sport can tell a lot.
So sports run
The name “sports” was given to such a run, unlike “health” runs, which you can regularly watch somewhere in the park, because you can fully master it only if you have certain qualities.
Running requires strength, speed, tactical thinking, reaction and, most importantly, endurance from an athlete. After all, sports running is, above all, the result. And for the sake of it, one who goes out onto the track literally has to do the impossible.
Today, running is divided depending on the distance into sprint (short distances) and styer (long), as well as relay, marathon and obstacle course (barrier).
Under what conditions are running competitions held?
Running sports does not require any special conditions for the competition. Athletics stadiums are used for them, where the main attention is paid only to the correct marking and high-quality coverage of the treadmill.
Previously, these paths were both earthen and asphalt. But at present, the coating is made of synthetic materials (tartan, regupol, recortan, etc.).
They hold competitions in any weather. In summer stadiums there are usually 8 tracks for this, and winter ones can be limited to six. The width of each of them is 1 m 22 cm, and the line separating them is 5 cm. The length of the track is 400 m. Mandatory markings indicating the start and finish for all distances, as well as the corridors where the baton is transmitted.
Of great importance, as you know, is the runner’s shoes - special studding shoes that can provide good grip on the surface, and therefore create the conditions for an excellent result.
Rules for running competitions
All types of sports running have general rules. On the command “To the start!” Athletes line up along the line, depending on the place taken in the previous stages of the competition or according to the draw. At the same time, their legs are on special blocks or structures, and their hands and knee touch the ground (an athlete is forbidden to touch the starting line and, especially, the track behind it).
The starter, making sure that all the runners are in the appropriate position, gives the command: "Warning!". Athletes lean forward, tear their knee off the track and freeze, resting on the ground only with their feet and hands. At the signal of the starting gun or other device, the run begins. By the way, if the starter notices even the slightest movement before this signal, he announces a false start. And the athlete, through whose fault he was declared, receives a warning.
During the run, athletes do not interfere with each other. At short distances they run along different paths, and at distances of 600 m they start at different paths, but after 200 m they switch to general. The location of this transition is usually indicated by flags and an arcuate line.
The runner who first crossed the finish line wins.
What is a sprint?
Sports jogging - sprint - this is overcoming standard distances of 50, 60, 100, 200, and 400 m for men and women, as well as relay race (4x100 m and 4x400 m), conducted in an arena with eight running tracks.
This sport requires special speed qualities from the runner, as well as an excellent reaction at the start. After all, 60 m, for example, he overcomes in just 9 seconds!
And running 100 meters, by the way, is considered the most prestigious discipline not only in athletics, but even in sports in general.
In the sprint run there are also non-standard distances - these are 30 m, 50 m, 150 m, as well as 300 and 500 m. For relay races, non-standard distances are 4x200 m.
Even a fair wind is important for the sprinter!
Since sports sprinting is short-term, even small details can have a serious impact on the result. You probably know yourself that the sprint counts for a split second.
The most advantageous positions for sprinters (running 200 and 400 m) are the central tracks (from 3rd to 6th). On the first and second, the small radius prevents the runner on the turn to develop high speed, and along the 7th and 8th track, athletes run first from the start, which prevents them from orientating in speed. Therefore, the most profitable lanes, as a rule, are distributed among athletes who have shown high results.
In a sprint in an open stadium, even a fair wind can help an athlete. Therefore, for example, if the readings of the associated component turn out to be more than 2 m / s, then the result demonstrated by the runner is not recognized as an official record.
Marathon is a sport for hardy
Athletics in its arsenal also has the most difficult kind of sports running - marathon. The distance that athletes need to overcome is 42 km 195 m. The marathon runner must have not only excellent physical shape, endurance and desire to win, but also be able to overcome difficulties and pain.
Preparation for the race requires a many-month workout, drawn up according to a strict plan, and a balanced diet. By the way, athletes under the age of 18 cannot participate in the marathon.
During the competition it is necessary to provide runners with a sufficient amount of water and food that can maintain the energy balance in the body. For this, food stations are established every 5 km along the route.
By the way, for some categories of runners, an air temperature above + 18 ° is considered dangerous, but if it rises above +28 ° , the start is canceled.
Jogging and Walking
Speaking of running, one cannot but mention walking. It differs from running in that it is necessary not only to show the highest result in it, but also to strictly observe the technique, which prohibits switching to running.
In each successive step, the sports scooter is obliged to carry forward only the leg straightened in the knee from the moment of its contact with the ground and until it passes the vertical. Up to 9 judges follow this, and for violation of the rules the competitor may be disqualified. It is very difficult for an athlete to refrain from switching to a slow run, which makes the competition especially dramatic.
Boots of speed overcome distances from 20 to 50 km (men) and 20 km (women).